Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1887-04-22

The last Chatauquan has the first of
series of articles by Mrs Mary A. Liver
more on Homes Builded by Women"
from which we make bl ief extract.
Out of the home springs so much that
is excellent in character, so much that
gives strength and solidarity to a nation,
that Its abolition would, in a large mea-
sure, destroy civilization 1t would trans
form us into migratory Bedouins, and by
breaking down the environments which
now protect childhood, and shelter age,
and give vantage ground to the father
and mother engaged in the all-important
work of rearing their children, it would
eXtinguish the family. The dangerous
ly rich and the dangerously poor are
justly regarded as the classes from which
modern society has the most to fear-more
from the former than from the latter, be-
cause its influence is greater.
The millionaire and the tramp form the
two extremes of American society but in
one respect they have common quality
they are for the most part homeless. The
homeless tramp, because of dire poverty,
vagabondzes to any place that will give
him temporary food and shelter. The
homeless rich, because of what Matthew
Arnold calls ''heastly prosperity" "close
their houses" by the seaside, in the noun
tains, and in the cities, and wander the
world over in quest of pleasure. Both
classes are itinerants, and both suffer loss
which never so humble" or never so
grand, give an anchorage to the human
being, and chance for growth.
Mrs. Livemore is well qualified to write
upon the subject of somes, as those can
testify who have visited her home. The
following is from a sketch, by Virginia f.
Townsend, of visit paid TO her in Mel
rose. "A quiet, unpretending New Eng
land home stood before me, the extreme
simplicity of which was in fine harmony
with the old town and the shadowy
street. even though the presiding divinity
here was the strong, earnest, intent soul
of Mary "A. Llvermore. If one does not
feel at home with the first glance at the
house, one is certain to the moment he is
across the threshold for that subtle
charm of real home atmosphere broods
over all.
had expected to find in Mrs. Liver
| more good housekeeper; indeed, | never
knew a literary woman, in the highest
sense of that word, who did not prove her.
self to be capable domestic manager :;
and having been in more than one of these
homes, | am, despite the traditional blue
stocking, entitled to speak er-cdthedrd on
this matter Before we had finished our
supper Mr.. Llvermore came INA fine
looking, rather portly gentleman, who
evidently has relish for "A joke and a
side of things. He is the pastor of "A
Universalist church at bingham. we
exchange works sometimes, said his
wife, with a laugh. When there is high
pressure of business on me he obi Singly
spares me the trouble of writing an edi-
torial, and, in turn, | occasionally preach
Tor him Despite the appalling fact that
his wife is an editor, lecturer, an oc
casiona preacher, and leader in the
Woman's Rights movement, nobody, see
ing them half an hour together, could
doubt that the bingham pastor was a
proud and happy husband"
One OF the herOines in Mrs. Livermore's
| lecture, "SupeIfiuou Women" is Mr..
Livermore's sister, who in early life made
brave sacrifices to care for her ather and
mother in their declining years. The fact
of her presence and AID in the home at
Melrose has relieved Mrs. Lvermore in
household matters and given her freedom
for public work which she could not
otherwise have possessed.